"That's.. Great, Eda," They wanted to sound happy, but it was hard to when the sinking feeling only got worse. They should verbalise that perhaps it was not the best time to talk about all of this.

But Raine had already opened the can of worms. They weren't sure they could close it again, even if they really didn't want to talk about it at that moment.

"I wasn't sure what to do with him when I joined the Bard Coven, but I knew I had to hide him. If I didn't, Belos might have used him for leverage. That's why he let Lilith keep her palisman."

The air felt, heavy, and strange again, like when their environment had collapsed around them the first time. Distant memories of worry and fright, of having to watch as their palisman was changed, tucked away, in a way they couldn't hear him or even talk to him anymore.

Del was always so nice to them. A part of Raine wondered if they'd deserved such a kindness.

"You weren't around. And obviously Lilith wasn't approachable. I felt if I had not been careful she would've tried to make me convince you to join her. So I.. Asked Del. He did it for me. Right before we broke up."

There was in Raine's tone, and though they don't shrug Eda's hand off, they turned to the side. Their arms crossed tightly over their chest and they shut their eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't- I wasn't sure how but I wanted to tell you. Not like this, though. When things were safer."